Voice of soccer Owen Ndlovu nearly muted by speeding car thief

SABC Summer Song of the Year organiser Owen Ndlovu.
Image:
Veli Nhlapo

Top SABC radio sports presenter Owen Ndlovu was almost run over by a car thief he caught in the act of stealing his Ford Ranger bakkie in Braamfontein, Joburg.

The dramatic incident happened two weeks ago on a Saturday, when Ndlovu had to dive to the side of the road as the thief sped off in his luxury bakkie. The theft left the Ukhozi FM man and his daughter stranded in town.

Ndlovu opened a vehicle theft case at the Hillbrow police station.

Speaking to Sunday World, Ndlovu confirmed the theft of his luxury vehicle and his escape from a possible hit-and-run situation. Ndlovu, who is also the organiser of the popular SABC Summer Song of the Year contest, said he was in town accompanying his daughter.

"I took my daughter to dance lessons in Braamfontein and because of limited parking space at the venue, I parked it a few metres away. Towards the end of the lessons, I walked out to bring the car closer to the venue," Ndlovu said.

To his shock, he saw the door to the car was slightly opened and decided to walk quickly towards it to investigate.

"But it was too late because the man started the car before I could even arrive and sped it towards my direction. When I tried to stop him he tried to run me over. He then sped off and left me and my daughter stranded."

The popular soccer voice-over artist said he quickly phoned the police who came and picked him up. A frantic search for the thief ensued as police combed through town and the surrounding areas looking for the car but to no avail.

"This thief could have killed me. He could see that I was the owner of the car as I was holding my car keys when I was walking towards the car."

Gauteng Police Provincial spokesman Kay Makhubela confirmed that Ndlovu opened a case of theft of motor vehicle at the Hillbrow Police Station.

"No arrests have been made at this stage and police investigations are underway," he said.